PJFF Docs & Dialogue: Joe Papp In Five Acts

January 28, 2013 7:30 PM

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE - JOE PAPP IN FIVE ACTS

Director: Tracie holder, Karen Thorsen

USA, 2010, 82 minutes

From Hair to A Chorus Line, Joe Papp’s Public Theater influenced several revolutions in modern American theater. Born Joseph Papirofsky to Russian immigrant parents, Papp abandoned the blue-collar world of his upbringing for the burgeoning bohemian theater scene of NYC. He founded the Public Theater, dedicated to bringing quality plays to all people. Staging free, outdoor, and sometimes mobile productions of Shakespeare without a permit, Papp was a true pioneer. Best remembered for challenging the likes of Robert Moses, Papp doggedly took on the establishment, determined to defy convention and overturn societal stereotypes. Papp’s unique take on Shakespeare and other classic plays also helped to launch the careers of A-list actors including Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, and Christopher Walken. Punctuated by vintage footage of legendary performances, this fascinating doc is a must-see.